Counsel by Night

“Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.” Psalm 16:7b

The Counselor is at work in the mind as the Great Professor teaches; laying out truth, training us to think Biblically, instructing in righteousness, building powers of discernment, line upon line, verse upon verse.

Yes we walk by faith, but God deals diligently with the mind.

This amazing counsel goes into the ‘wee-hours’ of the night. This in a sense is night-school.

The mind tends to wander like a man lost in the desert, like a dog off its leash. Gods word reals us in, pulls us back.

The psalmist knows what its like to ‘camp-out’ in the night hours with his God.

It is a time when all is quiet, silent, the world and all its noise/commotion have temporarily ceased, and it’s just you and Him. There is sweet fellowship as the heart is captivated, the mind engaged as the God of the Universe gladly condescends to our lowly estate and begins to teach.

The man who is born again enters into this high honor, this esteemed privilege, this glorious right. Omnipotent God training his children to walk in his way.A tender Father rearing his own to love, fear, obey, speak, act, listen.

We have pitched our tents with him, the fire is lit, truth illumines the darkness. The effects of light are seen and felt. He whispers truths that are wonderful and awesome. Just as Moses ascended the mountain and looked upon the burning bush, we too can go to the Rock where the eternal verities blaze forth in giant power.

He proclaims it in our hearts that we might proclaim Him to the world. Let us stay awake just a little longer today that he may instruct us in the night.

Let us learn by way of nocturnal instruction so that when we do wake up we are refreshed for the days challenges.

Counsel by Day

“I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;” Psalm 16:7a

Before Jesus departed this world he made a promise to his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans, but that he would send the Counselor, 3rd Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit (His Spirit) who would lead them into all truth. He also said my peace I give to you, my peace I leave unto you.

This person of peace would remain with them to lead, guide, direct, teach, remind, convict, and counsel.

The psalmist here experienced this reality, this person, this counselor.

Within this intimate relationship between man and God divine wisdom is dispensed. As a result, he cannot help but give thanks by blessing God. He blesses God for truth given, knowledge imparted, wisdom obtained, and revelation revealed.

We are bought into thisinner sanctum of Gods secret chamberswhere spiritual truths are uncovered, where the bread of Gods word is broken, eaten, and taken in. This forever changes a man. He is never the same.

We find ourselves Tabernacling within the most Holy place gazing at the blood covered mercy seat, prostrate with the angels, arms outstretched, and we praise God for his secret council.

The mind of omniscience speaking directly into the heart, not by some ethereal/mystical process, but through holy scripture breathed out by God and applied by his Spirit.

For this is the Counselors handbook, guide, map, the tool by which the heart is converted and the souls of righteous men made perfect.

His counsel is always true, always good, always on time. There is always a timely word in a time of need. We cling ever so close to his council because we know that man lives by every word that proceeds from his mouth. We who know this will bless him.

God does not give counsel the way the world gives counsel.

He does not lay us on a couch and want us to talk about our childhood nor does he let you do all the talking. He does not prescribe medication to make you cope with the worlds many maladies.

Gods prescription is WORD.

A dose of truth, a measure of his infallible revelation.

He drives us deeper into himself to cure our deepest spiritual ailments. As a result of God’s perfect counsel the psalmist seeks to bless the Lord. He is grateful for the inner work that God is doing in his heart, in his mind. He cannot not say, thank you God and bless the Lord, for this the appropriate response to Gods work in the heart..

The SINAGAINS

In my book, ‘The Tree and the Light,‘ I developed a group of people known as the Sinagains. I thought the title name was catchy and descriptive.

In the book we see them as a vast cruel people who are consumed with power, glory, and fame. They seek control over people and their land; this is how they choose to leave their mark on this world.

In all ‘fictionality’ they seek to dominate their world by sheer force.

The want to build vast cities as monuments to their greatness; they want to leave their cities as markers or signs flaunting their achievements and supremacy. If a city does exist they will renovate the real estate and rebuild them with Sinagain flair.

These people are quite large and seem to be made for battle.

They are war-lords in this world and they create a pseudo-peace.

They always have war on their minds and are always training for the next one. No mention of Sinagain women, but I am sure they are there, just as mean and domineering.

They come from the north and march upon the peaceful people of the Tree and quickly defeat them. Most are imprisoned and others are scattered to the low-lying wooded areas.

Treeology:

The Sinagains are descriptive really of all people to one degree or another. All people seek power and glory and fame; they want to be recognized, applauded, liked on googled, friended on Facebook. They want to stock-pile and build reputations of success and fame.

Some people are cruel and ruthless, always at war with one another fighting, bickering, gossiping, slandering. They know not the way of peace.

This personal war is indicative of a greater war within the heart of man…i.e. their WAR against God. And this WAR has ripple effects that move out into every facet of life. No rock is left unturned, no crevice in the soul is left unscathed.

The Greatest Topic to Write About

I’m going to give you a jolt, a bang, and a turn? What’s he mean? Keep reading.

We live in a me-centered narcissistic world.

Bookshelves are lined with books that cater to my dreams, my goals, my accomplishments etc…Even what’s his name country singer said it best, “I want talk about me!” He only said this because the other person was doing all the talking.

In the movie, ‘The matrix’ the bad guy ‘agent Smith’ ends up replicating himself in an attempt to take over the world. At one point he affirms that its all about, “Me, me,me.”

We actually think we are the greatest topic.

Actually its a no-brainer…that greatest topic, doesn’t matter if you believe it or not. The central figure of all of history- do I even have to say his name-

Jesus Christ.

Does that surprise you? Does it surprise you that the greatest person to have ever lived is the greatest topic to write about?

This isn’t new news, actually its old news, but good news.

For 2000 years since his appearance he is the hot topic and all others fall by the way-side.

Why is this? Here is the jolt…

He is God incarnate; God robed in flesh. He is the creator of the cosmos. The maker of worlds, the designer of the universe and galaxies. Look out your window on a sunny day, you see that fireball in the sky, that is a star, and he created it on day 4 of the creation. His power is such that he speaks into the void and creates a masterwork of genius that still baffles our little brains today.

His words have the stuff of life built into them because it comes from the essence of Life itself.

LIFE creating life.

The post contains links to sponsors/affiliates. Here is the link to our
disclosure policy

The Great Table

Spoiler alert:

In my book, ‘The Tree and the Light,’ the King takes back what rightfully belongs to him, the land and his people. He shows his superiority by the brilliance of the light that resonates form his being. He is the King of Light who defeats the darkness and re-establishes his Kingdom.

He wins a great victory for his people and even his foes are turned into bros (I had to say it).

He makes a decree among the people, one that is most amazing.

The Tree that has been felled is to be used to not only rebuild His Kingdom, but also to be used to construct a great table. The book doesn’t elaborate much on the design, but it does give clues as to its location/setting. The image doesn’t do justice to the sheer size that I had imagined.

It is set in the King’s garden and the table spans the whole length of his garden. So this is not just any table, but THE TABLE.

It is here that his Kingdom citizens are called out and invited to dine.

It is suppose to instill in the mind of the reader that this king is different.

He does not dine alone, he enjoys the company of those whom he has rescued.

As the image describes it is a feast, and the people are commanded to make merry and to enjoy themselves in his presence. The best that the land has to offer is there to be fully digested. He is filling them up with all things that are good.

The King is there as the guest of honor, but the king does this to honor all.

There is much joy at this table and this by no means is a singular event, but one that is meant to be replicated and ongoing; it having a forever element to it.